Faith

Sometimes the Lord wants to take us to a new place in Him – a good place, a better place – than where we are at in our present relationship and walk with Him… and we think “Hey, that’s great”… but when things begin to feel different”.. perhaps even a little strange.. We begin to wonder “what’s going on… and “where am I missing it”?

It’s a time of transition…but on the way… as we begin to feel “different” – it can be quite uncomfortable – almost like we have lost some of the good things that He has already put into us!…. But in this time that is intended for growth and healthy change.. we have old wrong attitudes and habits that do not “fit” the new place He wants to take us to. These wrong attitudes and habits are things that He wants to help us see – and turn loose of.. so that we can follow Him on in to that new place in Him that He is calling us to walk in.

We may feel alone in the place of transition – but God has never turned loose of us! And it is in this time of feeling “different” – perhaps even feeling that we’ve lost our way – that we must learn tochoose to take and use from the table God has prepared for us….. It is right there before us… But we have to learn to choose – in the very midstof the pressure that our flesh is feeling (in particular our emotions) – to take from that table He has set before us…

For like money in the bank – it does us no good until we reach out and draw on it…In this case we need to draw on and use the “tools” He has given us to use in the good fight of faith that we are called to walk … Tools like giving thanks, worship and praise to God.. as well as learning to respond to our negative feelings and emotions.. with the word God has spoken concerning the time or situation we are in. All of these are “tools” God has set before us… tools that will get us to the other side of the “crisis” we feel.

All of these things are “on the table before us” as a part of our provision/our authority in Christ.. And so much greater is this provision that Jesus “bought” for us than any thing that the enemy can throw at us…. For as we look to Him.. God is working all around us!… To say that He is not (simply because what we see is an unfinished work) – is to deny His faithfulness… It is to embrace the lie of our adversary (I Peter 5:8,9)… And to do that is to choose defeat….

For ultimately, we will win if we do not quit! (Galatians 6:9)…Thus we take our stand – we take our stand on what God has said and done for us… “And having done all to stand – we stand – on the everlasting word of God! – (especially the Rhema words that He has given to you for a particular situation )… given you for fighting the good fight of faith!!

But many times – instead of using the tools that God has provided for us – we choose to call somebody to pray for us…(I know because that is what I always used to do!) And it is not “wrong” to call for prayer support – but – ultimately we each have to learn (at some point) to stand and use what God has already provided for us …. in order to continue.. GROWING IN CHRIST… a place and a transition that you will like!

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1)

God IS the Great I Am…. the ever present, eternal, self existing God.

And He’s “God right now!

He’s not going to be God.. He IS God – right now!!

We often remember the good things He’s done in the past – how He helped us and delivered us in some difficult situation… And indeed, we should remember!… For that’s our experience with Him… And “experience gives HOPE” – hope for the areas of life where we need His help TODAY!

As believers – when we accepted Jesus as our personal Savior – God accepted us into His Kingdom as members of His family. So now, more than ever, God IS our refuge and our hope…and He IS a very present help in time of trouble! (FYI.. “Present” in that verse in the original Hebrew text means: “to come forth to”.. + “be enough”…. He is there and He IS ENOUGH!! )

God wants us to learn to trust Him.. and out of that trust..to call upon Him for the help we need – for our own life or to secure help for someone else… We can call on God our Heavenly Father.. with confidence..knowing that He hears and He cares! And the great thing is that.. He does not wait for you and me to be perfect before He will answer our prayers and our call for help…It’s enough that we recognize our need.. and WANT His help….

And even when the need that’s pressing heavily upon our heart..involves a problem area in our personal life – an area where we need to make a change in our behavior or in a habit pattern.. He is so ready to listen… and forgive… Ready to extend His grace to us to help us start making the adjustments we need to make…

Whatever the problem.. when you and I call on Him in our time of need – be it urgent or otherwise – He WILL come forth to help us! Our part is to “call on Him” ..ASK!.. Because He’s God right now.. and He wants to be there for you in your time of trouble.

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(How many times have I called on Him for help in some serious situation that comes up – or just to help me turn things around when I’ve done something “dumb”?… how many times? More than I would like to admit to you – but how glad I am that I did turn to Him.. Jesus… He is my help, my hope and my God… totally able and reliable.. and for me, completely unforgettable… He’s God right now… and He loves and wants to be there just as much for you.)

Put the past behind you!….. Turn loose and step into that fresh new day.

No man can stop you.. This is “God ordained!”….

The resurrected life… “fresh”… with no mistakes..

New – walking a different way!

Lay down the pride – this having to answer/explain – thus to “fix” everything.

It doesn’t matter if you’re wrong.. or if you’re right.. Let it all go! Let it go – and thus turn loose of living to defend your life… And trust God to be your defense!

“Be still and let Me “be” God in your life” He says…”And you will see that is the way to show (whoever needs to know)… “what is what” and Who I Am”.. “Isn’t that what your life in Me is really all about?”

So lay down the pride – even this pride that will not rest until you get everything just right… And THAT is beyond your power both to see how – and to do!

So, let go! and enter into that place of rest which I have prepared for you. It starts when you decide to “seek first the Kingdom of God – setting your focus and your efforts on Him – Who has already “fixed” everything for you!!

Oh the peace that awaits you in that place – the abundance of joy and grace… Walking in His righteousness… Knowing you have none of your own….

Time to rise up, look ahead, and leave the things of death behind you.. to walk in life anew – even the resurrected life He has called you to…

Understand that the past cannot go with you .. and there is no time and no place in Him to “vindicate self.” Self must be denied to walk in this resurrected life…

You must lay it all down – this “demand” to be justified… For when God is your defense, there is nothing to prove… Oh, the freedom in that – just to rest in Him… humble yourself under His mighty hand – and thus receive grace to conquer and reign.. over all the inequities of this life!

And because You’re wonderful and good, Lord… I can lay down shame where the enemy has accused me.. And even in the place where I have failed to walk altogether uprightly… when I turn to You, Your righteousness vindicates me! This is the place where all things become new again – the place of the fresh start – the walk without pride.

The key is to look at Jesus… Keep your eye, your focus on Him/His life – and so walk in the standing with the Father Jesus gave you… Walk with Him – could anything be better? There you’ll find true vindication – as His glory surrounds you!

The “price” of all of this….? Set your focus on Him – and don’t look back! (Why would you want to – when you can be done with what is behind you!) Your walk, your direction – HE is your life… There’s nothing to prove or to clear up – not when you are done with all of that!! Just step out and walk after Him… His righteousness is your “justification”..great joy and peace the reward

Note: This poem/psalm was given to me – both to instruct and encourage – as I hope it will do for you. It was given on my way to work November 11, 2003…. I had a little recorder with me, so that I was able to “capture the words” to pen later…And today, I thought it good to share it with you..

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My grace is sufficient to bring in your new day…..

And it is ENOUGH – to “open up the way”- for you to walk in that new day!

So.. take hold of My grace….. Rest in and rely upon Me….

Walk out of the past – and KEEP WALKING…..

‘Till you walk out of the things that have stood to block your way!

My grace is sufficient….. It is enough!

And as you keep your focus on Me – I’ll move those things that have entangled you.

The things that you said (or did) really hurt me…. I thought you were my friend. So .. how do I forgive you? And on the other hand, the one who has come against me may truly not care – they seem to want to be my enemy!……And the things that they are saying or doing are creating for me some problems … Father, how shall I deal with this?……

It is indeed interesting that I am led to write this post today – for only this morning I had to decide about the very thing that I just mentioned above to you…..What I did as my response to a strong offense began as a choice – a choice that I did struggle a little over because I had prayed for this person – in the beginning of this.. Indeed, I had prayed for them as I would have wanted someone who knew how to touch God – to pray for me…..

But those prayers appear to have done no good…. NO.. that’s not so! .. For we all make choices about how we respond to God’s dealings with us….. And I cannot hold myself accountable for someone else’s response to God’s dealings with them….. I.m only accountable for how I respond to His dealings with me.

So, this morning I chose to pray again for this individual – and God was so in that prayer time with me – that however things turn out after this, I’m okay… I can stay at peace… Because there was such an outflow of God’s concern for this person’s well being that came through me in prayer – that made it a very special and memorable time between Him and me…. And the very thought of it now ushers in His incredible peace….

We make the choice – to do what He puts in our heart to do – and He gives us the strength….. And along with the strength there is a lingering warmth of the feeling of how much He loves each one of us….So, in the coming days, should my mind try to again rehearse the details of that one’s offense, I will be firm – firm with myself and not allow the negative thoughts to overtake me….I can speak God.s word, stir up a song of praise, start giving Him thanks, or put on gentle worship music to get caught up in as I work.. or just start praying for someone else that has a real need! …..I’ll do whatever it takes to stay free of getting back into that offense.. .

How do I forgive you?..First is the CHOICE to forgive and move on…. Then we learn as we grow – how to stand and resist the negative thoughts that the enemy may try to send to overtake our mind with renewed offense…. But like it is with building any new habit into our lives – we learn to be patient and to persist – until we realize that we’ve become strong and the place of God’s peace is easier to reach…..

So, understand that when we choose to do the right thing, God is there to give us the added strength to see it through…. And because the strength that He gives is enough …. That is how I will forgive you….

Let’s consider for a moment the woman with “the issue of blood” in Mark chapter 5:21-34….. if there might be something we can apply to our own life today…

This woman had been sick 12 years…. then she heard of Jesus and all the miracles that happened to people when He was near….. She heard of the healing virtue that flowed out of Him to heal those who touched Him (Matthew 14:35,36) …. So she determined to push through the crowds to draw close to Jesus…..saying within herself “If I may touch just His clothes – I shall be made whole”….

And if you read of this in Mark 5, you know that she was not disappointed…. even as you and I will not be disappointed any time we “touch Jesus”. For He is healing; He is health… He is “Life” to all who “touch” Him.…. He IS God’s divine supply for you and I.

And even as He said to that woman, He still says today -to all who choose to draw near to Him to receive – “Son/Daughter, your faith has made you whole… Go in peace and be whole of your infirmity.”

Could it be true – could He heal me or you?…. Would He even want to?….. Hebrews 4:15,16 tells us that He is full of compassion for our needs…. He can indeed “be touched” with the feeling of your infirmity and my infirmity. It is our faith that touches Him and draws out of Him and into ourselves that divine supply of virtue (miraculous healing power) and grace that is enough for our every need. …

Our part is faith….. And faith is the gift of God to us… It comes as we get to know and trust Him – through His Word and taking time apart with Him…. Thus we can know that He is God – and that He gave Himself so we could touch Him and receive “Life” for our every need. And we can all learn to draw from that divine supply as we walk close to Him through this life.

Recently a friend quoted Galatians 5:6 about “faith working by love”…… And they asked the question “Whose love is it?….. Is it mine or God’s?” …….

The first “thought” that came to me was from Romans 5:5 – which tells us that “the love of God is shed abroad (poured out) in our hearts/spirit by the Holy Ghost” – which we have of God as born again believers….. So, we see then that the love of God is resident within the believer’s born again spirit…. and is also listed in Galatians 5:22 as a”fruit of the spirit” (fruit being a “product” of the spirit). So, although the believer’s own spirit is capable of producing the fruit of love, we understand that the love that was/is poured into our heart/spirit has its origin in God…..

And as we choose to draw aside from the affairs of this life – to spend time in fellowship with Him – we come away from those times of fellowship – instilled with the very attributes of His nature.. love, joy, peace……. Thus we begin to build a “reservoir”of His love and the other good things/fruit of the Spirit into our own spirit……The love is of God, but when you and I received Jesus as our personal Savior we were given the capacity in our born again spirit to contain the love of God……

And as we follow after to know Him, the love that He has for us more and more casts out fear in our lives (I John 4:16-19)….. Which is very important because fear is the greatest enemy of our faith….. This is “in a nutshell” describes how faith worketh by love…. and we can trace all genuine love back to the very heart of God.

That God uses the avenue of believing prayer to touch our lives – is a fact….And that “He watches for His word to perform it”(Jeremiah 1:20) is another fact… But what does that mean for you and me?……. and how can we apply that fact to our lives to make it an avenue for God to work through?

In a nutshell – “God watches for His word to perform it” – which makes it extremely important (and profitable) for us that we speak in agreement with what God has said…… because what God has said (or says) about anything is the way that He has set it up to operate – and intends for it to be…..

When God watches for His word – so He can perform it – He is not asking you and I to speak word for word in perfect King James English ….. but He IS asking that we SPEAK IN AGREEMENT WITH WHAT HE HAS SAID ….. This is important because God needs to be able to use the authority He gave man on the earth – in order for Him to “legally” operate and do things here…….. And when we do choose to speak in agreement with what God has said about something – we are giving Him an avenue for Him to work through.

This authority was bought back for us through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ – who did not bow the knee to Satan when Satan came to tempt Him (as he had tempted Adam)……. thus giving to all who will choose to receive Jesus – man’s original, God given authority again…… Because in Jesus’ mastery over Satan, Jesus stripped Satan of that authority which came to him through Adam (Colossians 2:6-15)………So that now – any “authority” that Satan exercises over those who have received Jesus – is authority we give to him through our wrong choices or agreement with his deceptions….. But we are to follow the example that Jesus gave us when He was tempted by the devil (Luke 1:1-13)……..

We are to follow His example – in that Jesus answered every temptation with the words of God… And that brings us back to the subject of “avenues that God uses to work in our lives”….. One such avenue being when you and I choose to speak in agreement with what God has said about something. Our agreement gives Him the go ahead to start performing His wordthat we are agreeing with…… And be sure to understand here – that this does not mean that we will see the full manifestation of that word within 24 hours…… For some things it could happen in that length of time or less – but all “seeds” – which God’s word is (Luke 8:11) – have a certain growing season before you are able to see the fruit produced by that seed…….And likewise, the fruit (which is the manifestation of God’s promise) from the seed – of God’s word – will be “fulfilled in it’s season” (Luke 1:20)….

……So… it is important that we learn to “hold forth His word” – speak the promised word in the face of every temptation to turn loose of what God has said – and instead – start speaking carelessly about what we see or hear with our physical senses…. No, we need to continue to speak in agreement with what God has said …. BECAUSE.. God’s word “shall be fulfilled in it’s season.. (Luke 1:20)….. We may not yet see any evidence that it is growing – but you and I can abort that seed before it comes to full growth and manifestation if we continue to speak contrary to what God has said… WHY? because without faith it is impossible to please and receive from God (Hebrews 11:6)…. and when we speak contrary to the words of God, we are in effect saying that we do not “believe God that it shall be as He has told us.”

All that being true, you might still say “I believe God – BUT – I just can’t see how speaking what He has said will cause anything to happen…..?”… Well – you might consider this – “what happened in Genesis when God spoke?…. Things were created, right? WHY?….. His word is truth…. it is living and it is with the power to impart and produce life – and orchestrate change – according to what He has said…..

And when we speak the word(s) God has given us, they are still His words – and we are acknowledging the truth and the power in those words as we give voice to them. We are in fact “returning those words to Him” – which words, as He said in Isaiah 55:11 – “will not return to Him void – but those words will accomplish/perform what He has sent them to do” – and that, because of the life and creative power in the words God has spoken. WHY? because GOD IN HIS SOVEREIGNTY SET THINGS UP THAT WAY! Okay?……. He loved us – and He desired to make available to us some avenues for Him to work through in our lives…….. He needed to do this because He had assigned authority and dominion over the earth to man – thus God needs us to ask Him into a situation before He can legally do things on the earth….. So, God gave us some avenues to connect with Him and give Him an opening to work in our lives.

One of those avenues is prayer….. Another avenue is our confession of faith by speaking in agreement with the things God has said to us….. This confession is creating reality – because of the life and creative power of God’s word. God’s word is true – all the time!….. but it is our voice acknowledging that it is true in our situation(s) that activates the power in God’s word for us. That’s the thing that makes our words powerful and an avenue for God to work in our lives.

If you have been a Christian very long, you have probably heard Hebrews chapter 11 referred to as being “the roll call of the heroes of faith”- of whom it was said (v 34,35) that these…….”through faith subdued kingdoms, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions (that was Daniel!) ….. ie. Out of their own weakness – and dependence upon God, these were all made strong.” Each one of them was running a race – and running it to win!

What race?…. the one that is set before you and me! The race being a course to run, a fight to be fought – more explicitly – the “good fight of faith.” God set this race before us – to again give man a choice – ie. the first man Adam chose life apart from God….. but God so loved all of us that He called man back to Him. The only requirement being that we believe His word/His plan…..: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son -Jesus – that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. God did not send His Son to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16,17). It would be (and it is) OUR CHOICE – the choice of each individual man and woman – our choice whether we would choose Jesus/Life or choose to live as we please – apart from God and His reconciliation plan.

But for those who do choose Jesus ….. there is a race set before you – a course that each of us are given to run……And the Word of God tells us HOW torun it – to win!…… (Heb 12:1,2 – Paraphrased) “Seeing then that we have the testimonies of so many men and women of faith – that lived – and ran the race that was set before them……each one bearing witness – that what they did – you and I can do!… Okay, just please tell me how….. ie. I remember wanting so very much to know how to run and how to grow in getting to know God…..

Well – this is how the Word of God instructs us to successfully run that race

1.”lay aside every weight”-a weight being something that holds you down…. and like the runner described in I Corinthians 9:24-27, we understand that a runner who wins – is one that is first determined to move forward, and is willing to apply disciplines to their life that make their run more certain – restraining the flesh where its excesses hinder their run – thus they/we comply with the instruction to “lay aside every weight”

2. … and the sin which does so easily beset us” (notice that it says “sin”- in the singular case)….. So what then is the “sin” that easily besets us?….. Could it be the sin of “unbelief”….. ie. “Did God say? (That is the very thing that the enemy – aka Satan – used on Eve to get her to begin to question what God had said – Genesis 3:1)……

“Did God say”?….. Not very often, but occasionally in my first years after being born again, I would KNOW that I had heard something from God – but it was very easy for doubt to set in in just a day or two….. and it would be like “I did hear from Him – but now I’m not sure somehow” – that type of uncertainty and doubt……

But I have learned that as we get to know God and to recognize His voice, we can set a “standard” for holding on to what we know we heard from God. That “standard” I refer to is something a Godly woman told me years ago – which is simply this: “Don’t doubt in the dark what God gave you in the light.” ….. When I heard her say that – I KNEW – I had just heard something that I could use as an “anchor” to help me hold on to the things that I would hear from God……

From that time forward, I began to hold that standard/principle forth whenever I would hear something from God and then begin to have doubts about what I had heard. I would….. ask myself the question – “DID I hear this and know that I heard it?” Immediately the admonition “Don’t doubt in the dark what you heard in the light” would rise up in my spirit – and with it would come the peace and the assurance that “Yes” – I did hear that from God.” …..And that would settle the matter for me right then and there. It was also clear to me that the enemy was at work seeking to get me to doubt what I had heard from God…..For you see, if we give over to doubt and turn loose of the word that God has given to us – we have nothing to base our faith on – because “faith comes by hearing (and understanding that we heard) the word(s) of God. It is by faith that you and I receive anything from God……So learn to mind this rule that you “don’t doubt in the dark what you heard in the light!

3. …. Andlet usrun with patience the race that is set before us”……. for it is through faith and patience that we receive the promise(s)! (Hebrews 6:12)

4. “looking unto Jesus – the author and finisher of our faith”….. keep your eye on Jesus – not on the difficulties that may come to cause you to doubt….. but if you do sense doubt or feelings of discouragement trying to come in – remember that giving thanks and entering into personal worship or speaking God’s Word – will get you back on track and on the right course again!

And those my friends, are the instructions that God gave us in His word to help us to stay on course and run our race to win!

The post that I share with you today is about another one of those “I have learned” things….. All of these “I have learned things” fit into a category of things that I have longed to see “work” in my life – as they are laid out in the Word of God – one of those things being about receiving things God has promised….. which is the thing that I will share about with you today.

I still have plenty of room to grow in this, but I have gained a lot of ground… The credit for that would have to go to the Spirit of God (aka the Holy Spirit ) because He has never given up on me, but faithfully led me to the next step – even when that next step meant going back to pick up some things I should have already worked into my life.

Sometimes He has talked to me “in plain English” – as another person would – but what He would say has never been contrary to the principles in His Word. I shared that because – there is no where in the bible that God tells any one to “move to Minnesota” (for example) – but He might tell you to do just that – and you would need to know that you have indeed heard His voice and not something that is out of your own thinking – (or “off the wall” from someone else’s thinking). Hearing and recognizing His voice comes as you spend alone time with Him….. time in the Word, in prayer, in worship. Those are some things that bring you into His presence – and into a confidence of knowing Him…. which things are paramount for you and me in learning to “walk by faith” and receive the things that God has promised.

You see, when the Apostle Paul – on that ship being exceedingly tossed for days in a storm they referred to as “no small tempest”- told his shipmates “Be of good cheer – for I believe God that it shall be even as He has told me”….. Paul could say that to them because he hadcome to know…… andlearned to have full confidence in God – from whom he had just received word that very night – “not to be afraid because there would be no loss of any man’s life among them. (Acts 27:13-44 ) So regardless of how that storm (or your storm) rages, he had learned – as we can learn – to take what God has said about it and “fight the good fight of faith”….. by holding fast to acknowledge what God has said – and so receive the promise.

In holding fast to what God has said – regardless of “how things look” – we will “through faith and patience” obtain the promise…….whether it be a certain scripture that He has quickened to us – or a word we hear from Him – as Paul heard the word from God about the storm and the lives of the men on the ship. We can count on it because “all the promises of God in His son Jesus Christ are yes, and amen (aka “so be it”) – That means they are sure and trustworthy. (II Corinthians 1:19,20).

His words are trustworthy because He has said “I will not alter the words that have gone out of my lips.” Our part is to hold fast to the words He has spoken to us ….. And we can learn to do that – with patience – because He is faithful that promised.

I’m in there with you – having received a lot of promises…. And I’m still fighting the good fight of faith – ie. endeavoring to “hold fast to what He has said” – in order to receive other promises. That’s how it works!…..Through faith and patience you and I WILL receive the things that God has promised!

Ever noticed a quiet “tug of war” going on when part of you wants to take some time to spend with God?

He gives the invitation – and we “hear” it….. we feel the pull in our spirit Then it is up to us – ie. the “ball” is in our court we know And we can “say yes” or we can in effect “say no”! “No” …. there are other things to do and places to go.

Over the years – if we haven’t gotten to know Him very well by then – we can remember a time – (and it was some time ago!) when our heart was captured at the first thought of spending time with Him …. We’d run eagerly to be with Him – to taste those moments of delight in that fellowship with Him. But time passes and other things slip in – “lesser things” that we struggle to fit in…. And in our heart we did not intend – to let all those other things – lesser things of course – fill our time that we had once purposed to be for Him.

But we have an enemy in the spirit realm (I Peter 5:8 & Ephesians 6:10-12) …… who subtley plots how he can get in- to convince us that all those lesser things must be taken care of NOW – certainly before we have any time left to spend …. in those delightful times with Jesus – our best Friend!

For us who are born again, it is a CHOICE – one that we each have set before us…… a choice that we will indeed make…….. While for us to choose Him first – Jesus does wait! He waits ……. and the wonderful Holy Spirit will draw us – But it is still our choice to make! ……. and the struggle is there – And the admonition of scripture “to seek God’s Kingdom first”! And if we choose that blessed way – the thing that our heart wants most – To set at Jesus’ feet and be taught by Him … letting His wonderful presence permeate within ……

We all have certain responsibilities – and to “lay on the couch” instead of fulfilling them – is NOT what this is about ! But when He calls to us – and we feel that “pull” in our spirit – that is time that should belong to Him – and when we embrace that time as His – we will find ourselves – our time, our hearts – blessed and refreshed – and ready to go forward….. into those things that belong to us as “our job” – our “responsibility”…… and we take His peace with us – all because we chose to yield to that “call,” that “pull” in our spirit. I’ve done it both ways – ie. I’ve “said Yes” and I’ve said “No” but I KNOW which way is better – and ……

It is the choice I never regret – and the incredible thing is – that then He walks with me – even goes out ahead of me – to help me and set up the day!! Then everything that truly needs doing seems to get done faster – even to just fall into place! And I take His peace with me – all because I chose to yield to that “pull” in my spirit. That’s my definition of a glorious day!

For those who know Who I am, I am asking you to learn to look to Me for the things that you need – you can always turn to Me – for comfort, for help, for security ….. for whatever it is that you need.

Lift up your head – give thanks and worship Me – for in My presence it becomes easy to believe!

Worship Me for who I am to you …. For I am your Provider and your Keeper – The One that will never leave you …. I will always be there. And please realize that wherever you are – you can touch Me! You can learn to draw whatever it is that you need from Me – Even all things that I have promised you in My word – just remember that nothing is too hard for Me ……. And that all things are possible to the one that believes!

I am the living bread – the bread of life…. and if you learn to look to Me, I will sustain you through the hardest of days….. And if need be, I could even cause the ravens to feed you! (I did that for Elijah – Am I not the same God today ? …. And would I not do the same for you?! ) So trust My word that it is true – and worship Me! For indeed I do …. inhabit your worship and praise! …. And in My presence you’ll find it easy to believe.

“And all things – whatsoever you shall ask in prayer believing – you shall receive!” (Matthew 21:22 ) This is My personal invitation to you – so worship Me and learn to believe!!

Oh Father, God in Heaven – to move forward with You is always “the thing to do” …. We cannot consider the right of our own reasoning alone to lead us – but steadfastly move in the direction that You give us. For things have a way of changing … with danger all around us, and those who were once simply our “competitors” have become – without true reason – our enemies!

Who would have thought that the outlook of “right” and “good” could change so quickly? … and take on such “different colors”? (All the while Your righteous judgements NEVER change – and will endure forever!! – and that in spite of what any one decides to do here….. ) Oh, Father, for us who have seen the right paths You gave us to walk in – maligned and shaken as many are leaving those paths to walk in what has become “politically correct and socially acceptable” …. (But You love us all still – that is the wonder! And You’re calling to each of us – if we would – to “get still” and know just WHO YOU ARE ….- and to taste that incredible LOVE that defines YOU and caused You – to give Yourself for the world!)

There is the path on the left – and the path farther over, on the right ….. But lest we forget …. there is also the path in the center – the one You gave us to embrace and walk – the path illuminated by Your light …. that path being steady and sure! There grace abounds and Your love is our comfort and makes us secure … and in the end it will “win out”! And surely, for those who walk on it, this path grows brighter as we approach that “perfect day”… and surely it “tastes better” than any other way – for Your presence is there ( and nothing in this world can buy such a priceless treasure!)!

…. And whilst the world around us is being shaken, You are our Rock and never change! So that as things in the world look a little shaky or uncertain – we can do as the Psalmist did do – and press in to You…… acknowledging that “while I may be a little afraid, I CAN, I WILL – trust in You! Because in life, You are the ONLY thing – Lord Jesus – that does not change!!

“Jesus Christ, the same – yesterday, today and forever” Hebrews 13:8 He does not change. In this day and hour that we live in, He IS … the only stable thing! Jesus I am so so glad to know You! And very very glad I am to know – that any one who reads this – only have to ask in order to know You too!!

Because I think it’s important that you know a few things about the person who is writing and sharing with you on this blog – and the purpose for doing the blog – I’m going to share about that here with you…… So the following is a little bit of “my story.”

As the Apostle Paul once said, “I haven’t arrived yet – but I have come a long way from where I started.” That’s the reason I am doing this blog. I want to help others who are walking in some of the places I have walked – and could use a little help to keep moving forward in their relationship with God.

My heart is full to share things that have helped me and blessed me along the way. I remember and feel very keenly the longing …. just to hear Him! I’m hearing much better now – and I’m still hungry to go further – but at least now I know more about “how to get there!”

Jesus is my Savior – and I have had such an incredible journey getting to know Him that I have a lot of things to share! Mistakes – yes, I’ve made them – but I have come such a long way since I received Jesus in 1978. I was a young single mother then, and boy did I need Him! I needed the change that knowing Him began to bring – and in the years that followed, I received a lot of His wonderful healing. I began also to receive some of the “gifts” that God’s word says belong to us – and on this blog I will share out of the particular gifts that He has given me.

To be a little more descriptive about the things you will find on this blog site, I can tell you that it will include: Inspirational and devotional writings, Psalms and poems – which I write as I hear; writings that lend to personal worship; and short teachings on subjects where the Spirit of God has instructed me. The substance of what He gives me as I have fellowship with Him is what I will share with you on this blog.

I value your input – through comments or questions. And now I would like to welcome any and all who visit this blog – I’m so glad you are here!

I’ve wanted to post on my blog for over a week, but important things were happening that needed my attention. Sunday, I lost my mother – she had been very sick – with things rapidly deteriorating over the last couple of weeks. Mom was 90. Yesterday we had her funeral – returning her body to the ground from which the word of God says that God formed and created man – finishing the master piece of His creation by blowing “the breath of life” into man.

My two sisters were with Mom when she took her last short breaths – for her, they told me, there was no struggle – it was very peaceful. There was some sadness of course as I heard that she had passed (from this life into the next)- but I am okay. Actually I am “more than okay”- because I know and am very confident about where she is.

The last 3 days before Sunday, she was becoming unresponsive to the point of being almost in a coma-like state. A day or two before that, we had tried to engage her in humorous or otherwise memorable things that we had all experienced together as we were growing up – and got only small interest roused in her about those things – but accolades should go to my two sisters for trying. Just knowing some of her children were there with her must have meant something to her. All of us very much wanted to do something that would make things easier for her – we knew she couldn’t be here with us very much longer and we did not want her to suffer …..

Then on Saturday afternoon while I was at home in the kitchen, I began singing “How Beautiful Heaven Must Be” – an old song that I hadn’t heard in years (note here that I am NOT a singer) – but it was coming out of my spirit; and when I stopped singing for a minute or two, I caught myself humming the song. All of this was happening while my mind was still pretty distraught – wondering what we could do to help Mama turn her mind away from all the pain we knew was filling her body – and look Heavenward.

The song just kept coming – until the realization came that although it was beginning to help my mind a little – “this song is for Mama!” The Lord had spoken a scripture to me for her a day or so before – and with the added song, that realization stirred me to action. I called my mother’s room – a sister answered the phone …. I told her that I knew Mama couldn’t answer me, but I wanted to give her a scripture verse and sing a song to her. Then as the phone was held up to Mama’s ear, I began singing the song, and talking to her about Heaven and Jesus. When my sister took the phone away from Mom’s ear, she said to me … “She heard you …. Her lips began to move as though she wanted to speak and her eyebrows moved as you were talking …. and her face, which had carried the look of death – my sister said – looked “happy.” My sister was almost weeping as she told me those things and later my other sister who was at the end of Mama’s bed told me she saw the same thing. That was all I needed to hear. I had done what the Lord had shown me to do – and I was filled with peace! A peace that has not left me since it filled my heart and mind that evening.

I got “the call” just about 24 hours later – my sweet mother had just passed – “about ten minutes ago” – my sister told me. I had dreaded to face this day we all knew was coming…. but it hasn’t been that way for me. If you think really knowing Jesus – and knowing how to “hear Him,” doesn’t make a difference -think again!!

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